Non-Traditional degrees are degrees obtained through an employee’s
enrollment in courses of study by correspondence, extension, part-time
classroom attendance or through the Internet (on-line learning). The
following guidelines form the basis for approving employees’ requests for
enrollment in programs leading to college degrees:
1. Employees who wish to enroll in a Non-Traditional Degree program
must first notify their Department Heads in writing of the major or
field of study intended.
2. Employees should consult with their Supervisors and Educational
Partnerships Department with regard to the recommended major or
field of study and/or the selection of a school. Employees should be
reminded that attainment of a college degree does not carry any
guarantee for promotion to a higher job.
3. If the employee chooses to major in a field other than what is
recommended by his/her organization and/or Educational
Partnerships Department, the employee should be advised that his/
her studies and subsequent academic achievements may not have
any impact or benefit on his/her long term career advancement, and
that it will not qualify him/her for the Education Refund Plan
reimbursement.
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January 1, 2015
4. An employee who earns a degree without prior consultation or
approval from his/her supervisor or from Educational Partnerships
Department may also request recognition of the degree. The
employee should initiate the request for recognition by filling out the
appropriate application form for degree recognition and submitting it,
along with all required documentation, through channels to his/her
Department Head for review and support.
5. If the Department head does not support the employee’s request for
degree recognition, the employee may refer his/her application for
degree recognition directly to the Degree Recognition Committee
(DRC).
Recognition Criteria
The Degree Recognition Committee will apply the following criteria in
evaluating requests for recognition of Non-Traditional degrees:
1. For an NTD to be considered for recognition by the Committee, the
following minimum grade-point average (GPA) must be obtained:
• 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for undergraduate nontechnical
degrees;
• 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for technical degrees;
• 2.75 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for correspondence degrees;
• 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for all graduate degrees.
2. The degree should be obtained from an accredited college/university
as endorsed by Educational Partnerships Department.
3. Employee’s Department Head certifies that the NTD degree program
has contributed to an improvement in the employee’s job performance
by endorsing the application.
4. The major or field of study should have a business need in Saudi
Aramco.
Note: If the Non-Traditional degree is approved by the DRC, Educational
Partnerships Department will update the employee’s education record in
SAP and inform his/her Department Head.
Approval
The Degree Recognition Committee has full authority to assess and review
Non-Traditional college degrees. The decision of the Committee is final.
Each degree will be evaluated on its own merits regardless of the form of
education. The Committee’s decision will be guided by the criteria